Stories, updates & live moments from PMS Malawi

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Office of Malawi warmly congratulates you, Msgr. Roger J. Landry, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States of America, on your recent appointment as a Member of the Dicastery for Evangelization. This appointment is a well-deserved recognition of your faithful service to the Church and your unwavering commitment to the missionary mandate of Christ. We are confident that your experience, wisdom, and dedication to the work of evangelization will greatly enrich the mission of the Dicastery and the universal Church. As the PMS family in Malawi, we assure you of our prayers as you undertake this new responsibility. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Missions, intercede for you as you serve the Church with zeal and fidelity. Congratulations once again on this significant appointment. Yours in Christ's Mission, The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Office Malawi

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English, Chichewa and Chitumbuka fliers for the 2026 National Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday.

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A Missionary Journey of Faith and Solidarity: The History of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Malawi (1974-2026) Celebrating More Than Five Decades of Missionary Animation, Formation, Prayer and Solidarity The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Malawi form part of the worldwide missionary family of the Catholic Church, dedicated to promoting missionary awareness, prayer, formation and solidarity in support of the Church’s evangelising mission. Through the four Pontifical Mission Societies - the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St. Peter Apostle, the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), and the Pontifical Missionary Union - the faithful are invited to recognise that every baptised person shares in Christ’s universal mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples. The Beginning of a Missionary Journey (1974-1981) The journey of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Malawi entered a significant new chapter on 22nd September 1974, when the then Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy See’s competent missionary authority and now the Dicastery for Evangelization, appointed Rev. Fr. Clément Bédard, M.Afr. (Missionaries of Africa), as the first National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi. This appointment established a national structure through which the Catholic Church in Malawi could coordinate missionary animation, formation, prayer, and cooperation with the universal Church. The appointment reflected the communion between the Holy See, through the Dicastery entrusted with the missionary life of the Church, and the local Church in Malawi, particularly through the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB). Today, the Dicastery for Evangelization continues to accompany and coordinate the PMS throughout the world, in communion with the Holy Father and local Churches, so that the missionary spirit of the Gospel may continue to grow among all the faithful. In September 1975, Rev. Fr. Gervazio Moses Chisendera of the Diocese of Lilongwe (who later became Bishop of Dedza) succeeded him and continued strengthening missionary awareness among the faithful, emphasising that the mission of the Church belongs not only to missionaries but to every baptised Christian. A major milestone came in 1978 when records from the 1977 World Mission Sunday Collection showed Malawi’s first recorded contribution to the Universal Solidarity Fund. The offering of US$500 became a symbol of Malawi’s growing participation in the missionary life of the universal Church and the beginning of a tradition of generosity that continues to flourish. Growth and Consolidation (1982–1996) The appointments of Rev. Fr. Charles Maida of the Diocese of Lilongwe in 1982 and Rev. Fr. Harry Lungala of the Archdiocese of Blantyre, in 1986 ushered in a period of consolidation and wider missionary engagement. Missionary animation expanded across dioceses, parishes, schools, seminaries, religious congregations and lay associations. During this period, World Mission Sunday became firmly established within the pastoral life of the Church in Malawi, deepening the understanding that mission is a shared responsibility of all God’s people. A Season of Missionary Formation and Expansion (1996-2007) A new chapter began in November 1996 with the appointment of Rev. Fr. Benedict Liyao of the Diocese of Zomba as National Director. During his eleven years of leadership, PMS Malawi experienced significant growth in missionary animation and formation. Through collaboration with international PMS leadership and participation in regional and continental missionary programmes, diocesan missionary structures were strengthened and formation initiatives expanded. Fr. Liyao also gave special attention to the Missionary Childhood Association (Utumiki wa Ana), promoting the spirit of “Children Helping Children”. His leadership inspired children and young people to understand their role in the Church’s missionary life and contributed to increased participation in missionary activities and support for World Mission Sunday. Strengthening the Missionary Foundation (2007–2013) On 12th October 2007, Rev. Fr. Michael Useni of the Diocese of Chikwawa became National Director, focusing on strengthening diocesan missionary structures and broadening participation in all four Pontifical Mission Societies. During his tenure, the National PMS Office became more fully integrated into the Catholic Secretariat of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), strengthening collaboration with other pastoral departments and reinforcing the role of PMS within the life and mission of the Church in Malawi. Renewing the Missionary Spirit (2013-2023) The appointment of Rev. Fr. Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe (currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe) on 25th October 2013 brought renewed energy and visibility to missionary animation in Malawi. His leadership strengthened missionary formation programmes, deepened collaboration with dioceses, Catholic institutions and religious congregations, and placed particular emphasis on forming children and young people as missionary disciples. This period also witnessed remarkable growth in missionary participation and support for the Universal Solidarity Fund. A Mission that Continues to Grow (2023-Present) Following Fr. Mwakhwawa’s appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe, Rev. Fr. Ephraim Peter Madeya of the Diocese of Dedza was appointed National Director on 26th September 2023. Under his leadership, PMS Malawi continues to strengthen diocesan and parish missionary structures, expand missionary formation, encourage the involvement of children and young people, promote collaboration among missionary groups, and deepen the missionary spirit throughout the Church in Malawi. The year 2026 marks the centenary of the establishment of World Mission Sunday (1926-2026), providing a special moment to celebrate one hundred years of missionary prayer, sacrifice, generosity and cooperation, while renewing the Church’s commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. Growth in Missionary Solidarity One of the clearest signs of the growth of PMS Malawi has been the steady increase in contributions to the Universal Solidarity Fund. What began with a modest offering of US$500 recorded in 1978 for the 1977 World Mission Sunday Collection during the leadership of Rev. Fr. Gervazio Moses Chisendera has grown into a remarkable expression of missionary commitment by the Catholic faithful in Malawi. The growth in annual contributions over the years includes • Rev. Fr. Benedict Liyao (1996-2007): from MK56,149.57.00 to MK1,343,283.67 • Rev. Fr. Michael Useni (2007-2013): from MK1,343,283.67.00 to MK8,000,000.00 • Rev. Fr. Vincent F. Mwakhwawa (2013-2023): from MK8,000,000.00 to MK73,871,000.00 • 2026 report for the 2025 World Mission Sunday Collection: MK187,847,622. This growth represents much more than financial progress. It reflects the deepening missionary consciousness of the Catholic faithful in Malawi and their commitment to supporting the universal mission of the Church through prayer, formation, sacrifice and generous giving. Looking Ahead From its humble beginnings in 1974 to the vibrant missionary movement it is today, the Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi have remained faithful to their mission of animating, forming and mobilising God’s people for the evangelisation of the world. For more than five decades, bishops, priests, religious, catechists, children, young people and lay faithful have worked together to build a missionary Church that reaches beyond national borders through prayer, solidarity and service. As PMS Malawi continues its missionary journey, it remains committed to inspiring every Catholic to become a missionary disciple - one who prays, witnesses, serves and gives - so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may continue to reach every people, culture and nation.

One in Christ, United in Mission 19 July 2026 – St. Theresa Parish, Katete One of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Mzuzu, St. Theresa Parish, Katete, is preparing to host the National Launch of the Preparatory Activities for World Mission Sunday and the Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday. With joy and gratitude, the parish community is eagerly making ready for this historic occasion, which will mark one hundred years since the institution of World Mission Sunday—a celebration that continues to inspire the faithful to pray, sacrifice, and share in the universal mission of the Church. The National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi is equally prepared and looks forward to joining the clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across the country for this important milestone. Under the theme: “One in Christ, United in Mission” the launch will usher in a year of prayer, missionary animation, and thanksgiving as the Church in Malawi joins the universal Church in celebrating the centenary of World Mission Sunday. May this occasion renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel and strengthen our communion as missionary disciples, united in faith and sent forth in mission. “One in Christ, United in Mission.”

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST – SOURCE OF MISSION Mission Begins with Jesus We cannot proclaim Christ unless we remain united with Him through: 🙏 Prayer ✝️ Holiness 🍞 The Eucharist ❤️ Daily conversion Scripture "Abide in me and I in you." (John 15:4) Key Message Communion with Christ gives birth to mission.

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2026 World Mission Sunday message Theme: One in Christ, United in Mission Quote 1: Every Baptized Person is a Missionary The mission is not reserved for a few people. Through Baptism: ✓ We belong to Christ. ✓ We belong to one family. ✓ We share responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel. Scripture "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19)